Pileocystidia are modified terminal elements of the pileipellis (surface of the pileus), which differ from the normal terminal elements of hyphae. Pileocystidia usually project from the pileipellis surface, and are differentiated from other terminal elements in size and/or shape, and sometimes also in wall thickness or pigmentation. See also Pileipellis terminal elements (shape) and Pileipellis terminal elements (surface). Where all the terminal elements of the pileipellis are of modified shape (such as globose) or surface (such as nodulose), these elements are not called pileocystidia, which are only present if they are structures which are different to the normal terminal elements of hyphae.

Pileocystidia are best observed in radial cross sections of the pileus surface, but can also be observed in a scalp section (where they will be end-on).

Pileocystidia are also called dermatocystidia.

Choose this state if: there are no pileocystidia present on the pileus surface.